Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the fourth week of Lent, April 1, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Ezekiel 47: 1-9.12; Rs psalm 46: 2-3.5-6.8-9; John 5: 1-3a.5-16WATER OF SALVATION Our meditation today has the theme: Water ofSalvation. There are so many benefits of water for us humans and the world. Ofall its benefits, the term "water of salvation" is an abstractexpression. The term "holy water", or "clean water", or"mineral water" is a concrete expression that we immediatelyunderstand. For example, "baptismal water", the form of water is asign used to signify Jesus using water to baptize. So the term "water of salvation" remains inthe form of physical water that is a sign for God to perform acts of salvationfor the people the Lord helps. The scriptures present many events of salvationor deliverance through water, such as the crossing of the Red Sea by theIsraelites when they were made free from Egyptian slavery. Both readings todayalso describe water as a means of salvation. The prophet Isaiah tells of a vision of water flowingin the temple. Wherever it flows, everything that is affected by its flow andthe area of its touch comes to life. This implies that when there is no or hasnot been touched by water, the life that is there suffers hardship or evendeath. In the pool of Bethesda, the water was instrumental in the healing ofthe sick. They rushed closer and were touched by the water when it began toshake, they would be healed. From these two descriptions of events we see thatwater as an instrument is a real physical sign. God's power to heal and saveseems hidden.  But at the pool of Bethesda, the hidden mystery revealsitself. The sick man who had been suffering for thirty-eight years was directlytouched by the God who was actually present and working behind the water. Ithealed instantly. The water of salvation displayed by both readings todayteaches us how important aspects of the physical sign of water and its meaningto us. For our contunual journey in this world, the physical form of water isobviously very important. Without water, we will die like a barren and dryland. The meaning behind this physical reality is that the orderly balance ofnature has been provided by God for the good and salvation of mankind.  Water in the sacrament of baptism and as a sacramentalelement in the Church's practices of faith is seen physically as clean andhealthy water devoted to spiritual ministry in the Church. The meaning behindthis water chosen is that God Himself works through His servants to save, heal,and sanctify His people. The holy water that we use to make the sign of thecross or to bless ourselves and our things, is a sacred means to signify themoment of salvation that we experience. We must use the holy water in the rightdisposition of faith.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may wealways call upon Your name and use Your power correctly. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...